Game Composer Listens to BEAST CLERGYMAN for the First Time - ELDEN RING 

Speaking of FromSoft games, I've been having a blast streaming my first ever playthrough of SEKIRO on the gameplay channel. Check the VODs and say hi to me on tomorrow's (Friday) stream: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZWja8dtj7OM.html&pp=iAQB

it's less degeneration and more desperation, Maliketh was trusted with guarding the rune of death, he failed, and was punished, desperate to not make the same mistake twice, when you come for the rune of death, and once you start beating him, he pulls out all the stops, leaping around the arena, hitting you as hard and fast as he can, he can't fail a second time, and the end is likely because he doesn't know why you want it, he dies confused and scared, not scared of death, scared of what you'll do with it; "Witless tarnished... Why covet Destined Death... To kill what...?"

It ending on a sinister note makes perfect sense because when you kill the boss, you unleash the rune of death upon the world while also committing a cardinal sin. Learning how well-crafted fromsoftware music is through this channel is always amazing.

Maliketh is the ultimate combination of Soulslike games. The knighthood of Dark Souls, the beastial nature of Bloodborne, and even the blade of final death like Sekiro. I feel like he is a love letter to the company

the howling feminine voice in the background has always stuck out to me so much. It feels almost like Marika herself, reminding her shadow of his oath. It also mirrors Maliketh himself, howling that majestic howl in the phase 2 cutscene. Speaking of, that's also when Maliketh himself mirrors Ludwig's sword-in-front-of-face pose, but with the blade pointing down instead of up...

Maliketh has one of the best fights in any soulsborne game, has one of the best designs for a boss in a soulsborne game and one of the best themes in a soulsborne game. If that draconic tree sentinel wasn't sat right infront of his arena I would've made a save just to do the fight over again.

Beast Clergyman is an NPC that you meet at the midlane of the game, who at first seems threatening, but he offers you items in exchange for you finding deathroot, which you do not know what for. And then at the end of the game, he appears in an area which he isn't supposed to be in and fights you while being confused over why you would fight him, making you confused aswell. He is then revealed to be Maliketh, the Black Blade in the 2nd phase, who bears the Rune of Death in his flesh. He wanted you to find deathroot for him since the rune of death was once stolen from him and his resolve and rage comes from that theft spreading misery in the Lands Between, urging him to make his failure of letting him be robbed of the Deathrune right.

Maliketh is a good boy with a bad owner. "Marika! Is this what it is to sin? Will things never be the same again?" He just wants things to go back to normal, when things were good and golden, and is unwilling or unable to accept that this can never be, right up until the end.

Ah Maliketh, the black blade, Death of the demigods, Marika's shadow or simply, the Beast Clergyman. A tragic figure (as always) who is the half-brother of the goddess Marika, he sealed into his flesh the rune of death forever, or so they thought, banishing the concept of death so that Marika could become eternal. However during the night of the black knives a piece of the rune was stolen and used to kill Godwyn the golden, one of the first sons of Marika and the trigger of the Shattering, the biggest war in the lands between. Maliketh is full of regret and self-loath. In first phase he's covered in robes while during second phase, death becomes his blade again and he revealse himself to be Maliketh the black blade once again. Great coverage! May I suggest taking a look at some of Armored Core 6's tracks too? They're great as well

can't wait for the dlc soundtracks 😩

Tarnished. Why would'st thou... Why... Tis' no matter. I hereby vow, that Destined Death shall not be stolen again!

You’re missing I think the dirgelike(?) nature of second phase, the tone often used in music conveying death and doom and inevitably, especially in fantasy music. At that point the boss is using a power of death manifest, one that can kill even the most divine things in this world. That same power you need to deal effectively a death blow to a major fundamental element of the setting. He is both drawing on that power to bring about your doom, and the final guardian preventing the doom of that thing.

It’s one of the subtlest but also one of the most interesting elden ring tracks imo. It feels like it’s a complete representation of the character rather than epic boss music

This is my favorite track from Elden Ring. To me the first phase is so ethereal and godly. By the second phase it becomes more chaotic and when I hear it I picture this roll of silk unwrapping and floating in the wind.

"it feels like it's up in the air".... bro, how???

This boss fight was emotional, visceral and desperate. The music did a hugely great job in beating it into your chest as you’re fighting an old friend. Neither of you want to kill each other, but your paths duties directly cross and conflict each other. One of my favourite tracks out of any video game ❤️

Maliketh is badassery incarnate.that second phase with the shift and the vocals is perfect when surviving against him.

Oh man, I love this boss and this song. Some thoughts: The Godskin Apostles and this having the same cord that you describes makes total sense since they are both basically worshipping/guarding the same thing - Destined Death. To me the song feels weighty, fateful, which makes sense since beating this boss will change the world irrevocably after the concept of death is being released back into the world. The boss has a nickname called "Death of the Demigods" - for a long while this one character was the only being in the world capable of killing even a god, and thus was feared and respected for his power. While in Phase one he wields a quick dagger, in Phase two he wields a massive greatsword imbued with the mainfestation of literal death, and he uses it very methodically. The music in Phase two is very vehemently marching forward, with a strong rhythm, but not hastely or anything. To me this seems like someone who knows exactly how insanely powerful they are and and very self assured of their capability to kill the player. At the same time there are these twirls the strings, breaking up this really driven musical rhythm, juxtaposing it even. To me this symbolizes the incredible danger and volatility of death present. Literal death is sealed withing a sword, which is kind of insane, one slip up, one mistake and the consequences could be drastic. You can't really control death, playing with fire would be a massive understatement here. And finally this single female vocalist to me represents the character - Maliketh - and his horrible agony. He has failed his single purpose, he has been betraxed by the person closest to him and whom he valued most, and death is eating him up from within. Yet still he is doing his duty.

The way these predictions are always so spot on. The beast clergyman, is a very simple boss in his first stage. In the second stage he sheds his disguise and reveals himself to be a character you have been hunting down for a while by the name of malekith. Malekith is insanely chaotic, flipping around the arena and fueling his magic with pure concentrated death

"I feel like it's up in the air" - Davi literally nailed it there!

I love this song a lot. I'm personally biased towards remixes, and the first phase is a remix of Crumbling Farum Azula (the music for the area the boss is in). Then the phase transition music is such a great bridge between the two halves of the song, and finally second phase ramps up in intensity and feels so good paired this crazy anime move dude, especially on a challenge run.

“It fells like it’s up in the air” gave me goosebumps. You are literally in the air in this fight 1:33

was waiting for this one🙏🙏🙏

Davi you never dissappoint with your fromsoft track analysis. You have such an insane level of insight and nuance in your knowledge of all things musical. You while never having played the game, managed to see the connection between maliketh/beast clergymen and the godskin duo just by a somewhat small detail in the track itself. Its always fun to hear how much you get correct about the lore simply by listening and its equally impressive that the games composer is able to share so much lore accurate detail in the soundtrack. Keep up the awesome videos, im so glad i was able to find your channel!

these new composers introduced in Elden Ring are really good!

This boss OST might be one of Fromsoftware’s most impressive instrumentation works ever. It’s such a unique composition and pace of string usage, not seen in any ost before from the company. *First phase* reflects a more atmospheric, eerie tone to it that is similar to the ambient ost of Crumbling Faram Azula (same composer: Shoi Miyazawa) - a place of which the Beast Clergymen culture derives from. *Second phase* , akin to Ludwig the Holy Blade, reflects the story of a beast resembling a part of their once-noble knight self that is being resurrected due to an honourable duty. But for maliketh, that duty is of the burden of being death itself - hence the simplistic, primal second phase ost The string usage in this track is so unique in fromsofts catalogue, I am glad you are giving composer Miyazawa more recognition (he also composed Radahn, which is the previous Fromsoftware track you reviewed) as he is a much needed talent that varied the sound of Fromsoft - different to what we are typically used to hearing from the company.

I just noticed that the woman singing high sounds eerily similar to the woman in Elden Beasts song. Almost like Marika is wailing away from the loss of her shadow (Maliketh) and from her captivity inside the Erdtree

Maliketh's theme is one of my favorite song of the serie. It really describe the spirituality and the devotion of a Zeloth serving something greater than the self, and having exaltation in the communion and the violence he's capable of by the simple tough of facing adversity. Like... for me this song is all about what a crusader or a cult fanatic would be capable to. A single minded devotion, and a vast spirituality.

"Cower before Malekith the black blade."

Maliketh is where, for a moment, felt like i was in Dark Souls again

Something important to note about the first part ! It's reusing parts of the ambiant music of Farum Azula, the place where you find this boss. So in a sense, it feels... right at home. Until 2nd phase brings the Black Blade.

My favorite OST in the series, genuinely phenomenal and perfect, along with the story and fight...

Interesting review! About the orchestra spamming the one same note in phase 2 really describes the fact that Maliketh is using (spamming) the one last tool that he has. Definitely one of the best compositions in the game.

I think a really cool track to cover from Elden Ring is: The Final Battle / Radagon and Elden Beast

4:48 - 5:12 this is my favourite part, it sounds so full of regret and sorrow, probably because maliketh regrets not being able to protect the rune of death, which is his only use in life after markia gave it to him

Witless Tarnished... why covet Destined Death? To kill what?

You have to react to The one reborn from bloodborne

BC/Malekith highlighted my weakness to radial moves. Bootysmackers beware. If it weren't for Godfrey's opening cinematic, Malekith's phase transition would be my favorite of the game.

I'm so glad you're still doing Elden Ring soundtracks. I can hardly wait till we get to Rykard.

Elden ring music. Yay!

Very great analysis, one of the best, most unique pieces of the OST for sure was waiting for this for so long

"Marika... is this... what it is... to sin?"

Godfreys track next?

Makes with Godfrey the next

Hi Davi! Suggestion: Miss Laidcend from The Last Door (seriously, you should check this soundtrack one day). Video: Oh, pretty interesting video. Cool explanation and the contrast between both phase is cool, the first part reminds me of Grime sometimes. Well, that's it! ¡Adiós, Davi, see you tomorrow/today!

Day 12 of asking for Paper mario Origami king i think

Maliketh, the black blade, is the shadow of goddess Marika, a faithful body guard incapable of disobedience, but also executer if she ever turn against the greater will, on a terrible night a fragment of his great rune, destined death, was stolen, that was used to forge the black knives that could kill a demigod, the first son of Marika was killed with it, then Marika shattered the Elden Ring in what is theorized pure spite from that event, giving start to the 5 thousand years conflict in the lands between, the war of thr demigods, theft of the other great runes and decay of the kingdom. Maliketh was inprisoned and punish by his mistake, he devoided himself of all proud and became a faceless clergyman, but also, he hid the rune of death into his own flesh so it would never be stolen again, this action came with a great suffering, for he now feels a pain that can't be ignored and a fierce hunger, that represents the missing piece of the great rune of death. Maliketh asked tarnished humans to help him recover the death roots, manifestations of the death delivered to poor unlucky dastards all over the lands between, Maliketh thinks that if he consumes all this death he might become complete and Marika will forgive his sins, the protagonist tarnished is able to gather all the deathroots and offers them to Maliketh, but they are not help for him, he understand and accepts his sin is eternal and thanks the tarnished for their effort, tells them that he will take slumber on far away lands to coexist with his hunger for eternity. The tarnished follows his path and confronts Maliketh, the tarnished has came all this way for one thing only, to unbound the rune of death, Maliketh shows confusion for he considered the tarnished an ally, maybe even as a close friend, his mind quickly gets filled with sadness and questions, but he remembers his loyalty to Marika and refuses to give it up, destined death. The tarnished and the disguised beast fight but the clergyman recieves a disabling wound, he then breaks oath and ask destined death to aid him in battle, as he pulls the dark blade from his flesh his disguise burns out and his black armor comes out to shine, Maliketh is a fierce warrior, in his golden age he was feared by all demigods alike, but now he and his blade were just sad shadows of what they once were. The battle is bloody and brutal but the tarnished delivers a fatal blow on Maliketh, in his final breath he ask the tarnished in a sorrowful tone: "witless tarnished, why unleash destined death? To kill what?", he dies in silence for the tarnished only thinks for himself, that now even the gods can be killed, gods like the greater will.

I'd love to see you listen to Godfrey, First Elden Lord :> It's one of the best themes in the game imo!

I would say that it's actually like Ludwig, except Ludwig regains part of his majestic self in the second phase, while Maliketh (the Beast Clergyman) also reveals his true self in the second phase, but in this case he is unleashing what is called Destined Death, which is basically the power taken from the Rune of Death to kill gods.

You should make a video for Outlast1 music! I mean, it's amazing, man. You'll be amazed. Here's a list of music to make a video about Outlast Official Soundtrack _ 01 Main Menu Outlast Official Soundtrack _ 02 Welcome to the Asylum Outlast Official Soundtrack _ 40 Finale Outlast Official Soundtrack _ 05 Arrival Outlast Official Soundtrack _ 06 Main Hall

I thought the Amen discussion was on the ancestor guardian track.

Maliketh is the most tragic character in Elden Ring. Betrayed by everybody he was loyal to, sealing Destined Death itself in his flesh creating an eternal hunger for Deathroot. Even our Tarnished - who he thought was a friend - betrays him in search of the Rune Of Death. In a lot of ways he parallels Morgott. Just like Morgott, he remained loyal to the Golden Order (unlike Blaidd) even when Marika herself betrayed the Greater Will. He continued to believe in her, and he continued to believe in the Golden Order, wishing that everything would be back to the way it was. Not to mention, nobody mentions how guilty he must feel to essentially think that *he* caused Godwyn's Death, that HE failed in his duty, to believe that HE failed to protect the Golden Order's golden child.

Please, you must 100% listen, react, analize... Heathcliff, The Heartbroken's theme!!!

Loved the reaction! I’d love to see you react to *‘Godfrey, First Elden Lord’* or *’Malenia, Blade of Miquella’* from Elden Ring. Those’d be fun to react to.

God.. i love from soft music

Too many tracks to choose from, but can you do "Pontiff Sulyvhan" from Dark Souls 3? I think you will enjoy the intro ;)

Great video, Davi! Gonna keep being annoying and request you check out the Leyndell theme. Would probably be a shorter video since it's not a complex boss theme but I'd love your dissection of it

I really like these videos, because without your musical mind, I wouldn't catch a lot of the symbolism in these tracks, and how they relate to the design and story of the characters. What follows is how I think the music is represented by the plot, and vice versa. Spoilers ahead. Visually, Maliketh's design in his first and second phases seems to reflect the opposite of what the music implies. His first phase, where the music is more choral and ghostly, actually looks more degenerated and squalid than his second phase. But, if you met Gurranq in Caelid, which is Maliketh's cover name that he uses before his second phase, he serves the role of a clergyman indeed! He teaches you spells in exchange for seeking out and destroying the undead (to put it simply). In all ways but visual, his first phase is a more respectable and regal character. But, as the song implies, and as you noted, this false appearance is short lived. He even enters his second phase before his health reaches 50%, which is slightly unusual for the genre. The second phase music is more beastly, yes, and it seems to portray that despite his now more opulent and royal appearance, he is more savage and evil than he was before. He is dressed so regally, of course, because Maliketh is a servant of Queen Marika, the goddess of this world. He serves as her right hand, her guard dog, and indeed, her personal grim reaper. And I think that Maliketh being a reaper figure makes a lot of sense when held up against his second phase theme. You noted the consistent bass in the background, constantly playing the same pattern and the same note. It's a march, but I raise you, it would be more fitting to call it a death march. It's almost like a funeral dirge, accompanying the precession of the servants and wailing souls of the dead. And the music sounds more dire because the kind of death that Maliketh doles out is evil, truly evil. His sword, the Black Blade, is named for its enchantment. It is wreathed in Destined Death, a magical energy harnessed to kill gods, and indeed it is used this way in the story, prior to the Shattering. Godwyn the Golden is killed by the Black Knife assassins, who also use Destined Death. I don't think it was an accident that Maliketh's theme draws from Catholic motifs. He is a deathly crusader, the sword arm of a holy organization that destroys anyone and anything it deems unfit for its new world order. When he transitions to his second phase, it marks his regression from a humble and generally good-hearted cleric to a lethal killing machine who will go to the ends of the earth to kill anything his queen tells him to. Like a dog, he is loyal. And like a dog, he has been trained to bite first and bark later.

Hey can you listen to elden beast next?its my personal favorite theme Or sif from dark souls 1

I am simple man, I see Fromsoft and Davi Vasc and go “Yippee!”

i think you could check out some War Thunder soundtracks like Advance Australia or Steel Rain or Nigelcore

Yes! Back with the elden ring music! Also tbe second phase is called Maliketh The Black Blade, he became what he once was.

Can we get Gael ost from ds3 next? I don't think you've done that one. It's masterpiece.

You should look at the Risk of Rain 2 osts. They’re probably some of the best I’ve heard

Godfrey ost next please?

Plot twist. This guy has beaten Elden Ring and has over 1000 hours

For the low notes Fromsoft actually just hired Geoff Castellucci for the whole thing

please react to lies of p music, it is very beautiful!

You should react to slave knight Gael from ds3, it’s a very good track.

yes... Yess... YESSSSSS COME TO PAPA

Please, please, please listen to malenias theme next, its truly a masterpiece and one of the best Bosses in all of soulsborn🙏🙏🙏

I know that this is not a new game but... Please react to bloom intro/outro from ender lilies

This is one of the most personal and moving of all FromSoft's themes.

the elden be ringing today

You should give the burnt ivory king from dark souls 2 a try

Can you try another Monster Hunter song like Gore Magala’s?

You should listen to "Arm of god" or "Green and greed" from Lies of P

Fromsoft flexing their string players in this one

placidusax could be very interesting too

Davi you have to do one for Godfrey, First Elden lord.

1:55 mild hint of the Demon's Souls theme

Please react to ocerios the konsumed king - dark souls 3

The best boss in the game

Can't wait for Sister Friede!!

Amazing you brought up Ludwig, since maliketh, especially in his phase transform cutscene, is extremely similar to Ludwig phase 2. Except, and you're eerily accurate here too, whereas Ludwig is restraining the beastlike form and becoming more human, Maliketh is unshackling himself, and losing all his constraints

"it feels like its up in the air" :D

I went through your Soulsborne playlist and found Slave Knight Gael missing which is arguably the best Fromsoft track. Also Darkeater Midir is incredible and I highly recommend you check that out.

Slave knight gael from ds3

The first part of this track is so freaking sad, especially when you know about the lore and are aware of the dramatic consequences about the result of this fight. Btw I'm surprised you haven't done a video about some DS3 tracks, like the Boreal Valley Dancer boss or Adrich, which are the 2 best themes of the game to me.

Would love to hear your review of Morgott, The Omen King; which is my personal favourite of the Elden Ring soundtrack! As always your take on the music was very interesting to hear! They're having a live orchestra play the Elden Ring soundtrack in London on the 28th which I am going to and I am super excited to hear and see how the various tracks come together in person

I love all about this, the first time I heard this song I didn't think much of it, but those impacts in the second phase hit so hard for me. The must be one of the most tragic caracters, he failed at protecting the rune of death and can't really fail again and now out of everyone it is us who he met who make him fail again and he doesn't understand why all he knows is he can't fail so no wonder he is so conflicted

The most difficult boss with the best music.

Knowing the back story and my experience with this character in-game, it takes on some interesting connotations. Like there's a common thread between the Apostles and the Clergyman that is arguably not about religion in the sense I think you mean, though it's a common topic of religions, like that you pointed that out. And the disturbing element for me was more the event more than the character's nature up to that point. There is genuine loyalty, even if it's compelled, and tragedy both leading up to this, and the situation itself. But that simplicity makes sense in a way

You should check out some of Blasphemous's music, Ten piedad and Entre Bordados I'd especially recommend

The song should be Maliketh theme

This was really cool music. Excellent analysis as always. Thank you for featuring this.

i really hope you will do a video on slave knight gael ost from dark souls 3 next, its amazing!

Разве что здесь и удается расслышать музыку из игры. В самой игре обычно не до того

Nice. I never played the game but Maliketh is my favorite.

I love this boss, I think it has become one of my all time favourite FromSoft bosses!